What happened next?

Sharon Colman worked as a waitress while studying illustration at Glasgow School of Art. Now she is an acclaimed film-maker and will be strolling up the world's most famous red carpet tomorrow, after receiving an Oscar nomination for her short animation film Badgered.

The seven-minute film, on which she spent a year working with a team at the National Film and Television School, tells the story of a badger who just wants the world to let him sleep. It was inspired by a nuclear base in Scotland where weapons are stored under the hills. Colman grew up near the base and often imagined what animals would think about sharing their home with nuclear weapons.

Colman began freelancing as a flash animator and illustrator after graduating five years ago. Initially, she didn't have much to celebrate. "I did a lot of casual work. As a freelancer, you don't have financial security and that is a worry."

Now Badgered has opened doors. "The film will give me a chance to talk to filmmakers such as Brad Bird, Nick Park [creator of Wallace and Gromit] and maybe Tim Burton. Hopefully, it will also encourage funders to consider my next proposal."

Colman's advice to art students eager to pursue a successful career in animation is: "Spend time learning the rules of animation and don't worry about style. Your own style or voice will come to the surface."